Ava 21 Months Old Today & The Rock County Fair...

Ava wasn't so sure about touching the horse

Ava loved the sheep She couldn't stop saying "moo" as we milled around the cows A little apprehensive at first...

Inching a little bit closer...

She loved the ice cream almost as much as the animals

Having a hard time focusing--too much action!

We decided to stop by the local Rock County fair this evening. It is certainly not a large fair, but had plenty to keep Ava entertained. We headed through the animal buildings and Ava was immediately excited. She couldn't stop pointing and chatting about all the animals. We heard lots of "moo's", "baa's", "oinks", "neighs", etc. She had the opportunity to pet a small calf, but slowed up just before she could touch it and decided that it wasn't such a good idea. Regardless, she was grinning nearly the whole time as long as she didn't have to get too close.

At 21 months, Ava is quite a little character. She has recently learned to count to 10 and chats about all kinds of things, although we can't understand much of it. Common sayings include "I want some supper", "Go bye bye in the car", "I want some more", etc. She is very able to convey her ideas to us and certainly has her mind set about things. She has also had a few successful times on the potty chair. I think she is a ways from training completely, but at least she seems to understand about the potty chair and what it's for. She is growing up so fast!

Some Family Comes to Visit...

Ava with Lori & James Ava & Joe Brittany & Ava

James, Alex, Zach, and Ava

Ava & Brit

All the Loosbrocks (-Troy), Carol & Bill Rupp, Lori, James

Brad's sister Lori and son James came up to visit from Walnut, Iowa. They came over a couple of evenings for supper but stayed with Brad's parents. One of those evenings, we had a very nice gathering with Brad's Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill and also Cousins Tammy, Brittany, Nick, Alex, and Zach Loosbrock. Everyone was so sweet and brought over all kinds of wonderful food. We had a great time visiting and decided we needed to this more often. Ava absolutely loved having other kids around and they paid lots of attention to her!

More Projects & Some Fun Pics.....

Brad & Joe working on the concrete Ava's name carved in the new concrete Ava posing by her name (we tried handprints- but not a success) Brad explaining to Ava not to step in the wet concrete

Finally safe to try out the cement

Third try at this pose & still the eyes closed (she is so like me in this respect)

Chillin' by the fireplace

Can't remember if this was a brownie or oreo cookie, regardless I am sure none went to waste

Brad decided to attack a little project of pouring some concrete. We decided to widen out the end of our driveway as it is pretty narrow for delivery trucks and for pulling trailers. We also poured a pad by the shop for the dumpster. Brad's brother Joe was here to help with the pouring. Ava had a hard time realizing there was a restricted area from her running. We had one extremely close call, but she managed to not run through any of it before it cured. We attempted to put her handprints in the wet cement, but she was very irritated with that and we quickly abandoned the idea. We decided I would just carve her name and date and call it good.